Curtis Ciszek rallies for Rat Race victory

In great contrast to the televised events that blast snowboarding to the masses, the Rat Race at High Cascade was a contest that brought out the best in snowboarding. Yesterday up on the glacier, 110 contestants from all walks of the snowboard game took to a banked race course sculpted to the specifications of Austin Smith and Bryan Fox.

Lefts and rights ranging from all shapes and heights, rollers, doubles, and hips made for an insane and challenging course. There were noteworthy crashes, and some wildly loose maneuvers, but most of all there was a good feeling throughout the day knowing that everyone was supporting a good cause while having a good time. All proceeds from entry fees went into drilling a well to provide drinking water to a community in need, via Water.org

With everyone from legends, to olympians, to hungry young bucks attacking the same course during individual timed runs the leader board was stacked up with some seriously fast times:

1st Place – Curtis Ciszek – 55.91 Seconds

2nd Place – Jake Price – 56.41 Seconds

3rd Place – Blake Paul – 56.87 Seconds

4th Place – Scotty Lago – 57.02 Seconds

5th Place – Temple Cummins 57.16 Seconds

After the race wrapped up the whole crew headed over to Clear Lake at the base of Mt. Hood for a barbecue hosted by Austin Smith’s parents, with an award ceremony showcasing the many standouts of the day.

Big thanks to Dakine, Nike, Poler, Smith, Drink Water, Arnette, Nitro, High Cascade and most of all to Austin and Bryan for making this event happen. Stay on the lookout next summer for the 2nd annual Rat Race at High Cascade.